European Social Fund in England

Newco Employment and Training

Newco Employment and Training, part of Newco Products and the London Borough of Newham, aims to support unemployed disabled people into work through training and guidance. It offers information, advice, guidance, accredited training and employment support to people who are unemployed and have a disability or health condition.

Participants often face many barriers to accessing employment or learning. The project aims to help them overcome these barriers by working individually with each person and addressing their particular needs. It believes in developing a good rapport with participants to encourage them to concentrate on what they can do, not what they cannot do.

The project is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and European Social Fund. It began in 2005 and was due to complete by March 2007. Its contract has been extended to June 2008 which will give it the opportunity to help more people.

Newco Employment and Training has so far helped over 30 participants gain an NVQ at either Level 1 or 2, and some have completed both. 35 people have gained a locally accredited certificate and 13 an accredited certificate. So far over 20 participants have left benefit and gained employment, and five have completed a six month work contract and then been found a second job.

Partly because of its success with the LSC contract, the project was commissioned by the London Development Agency to continue work with people who face barriers because of their health or a disability.

Further information is available on www.newham.gov.uk (click on Jobs and Careers/Training and Development/Newco Employment and Training) or by contacting Tina.Waters@newham.gov.uk or Maria.Sheppard@newham.gov.uk

Eugene Carr

Eugene is profoundly deaf, visually impaired and has a learning difficulty. He had worked in the past, but when his previous company closed he found it impossible to find another position. Eugene hated being at home all day, and his mother, who lives abroad, was really anxious to see him settled.

Eugene was referred to Newco Employment and Training. The project suggested that Eugene use his skills to gain an NVQ in performing manufacturing operations. Eugene liked being in the factory environment, especially as there were a lot of other deaf people there that he could communicate with, and he enjoyed the camaraderie. He proved to be very good at practical work and when a supported fixed term job became available he applied and was successful.

Towards the end of his contract, Eugene became concerned that he would again be unemployed, as it was still proving very difficult to find permanent employment in the open labour market. However, a full time unsupported post became available and the project helped Eugene fill in his application form. He was invited to interview, and accompanied by a British Sign Language communicator. He performed really well before the panel and was offered the job purely on merit - a huge achievement for him.

To recognise his achievements Eugene was nominated for the Adult Learners' Week awards in 2007 and was selected as the winner of the national ESF Learning Works Award.